Andy Millen leaves development post

It is with regret that the club announce that development squad coach Andy Millen will leave Cappielow this summer in order to take up an opportunity at a higher level.

Andy was appointed Under-20s boss in May 2015 and spent two seasons training talented youth prospects such as Jamie McGowan, Jai Quitongo, Lewis Strapp, Scott Tiffoney and Ben Amrour on a daily basis.

As well as working to ready our youngsters for first-team football, the 51-year-old also steered his side to a Development League West title success in his first year in charge before finishing as runners-up this term.

Andy, who served as a player here between 1999 and 2001, also helped out in the first-team dugout on matchdays during manager Jim Duffy’s two-match suspension towards the end of the campaign.

We would like to thank Andy for his considerable efforts during his two seasons at the club and wish him all the very best in his future role.

Speaking to gmfc.net, Andy said: “This was an opportunity that has come along to work at the same age group at a higher league.

“But it certainly wasn’t an easy decision and, first and foremost, I would like to thank Derek Anderson, Jim Duffy, and Warren Hawke for giving me the opportunity.

“I’d also like to thank the chairman. From my time at the club as a player, I know first hand that if it wasn’t for Douglas Rae there wouldn’t be a club there.

“He deserves an enormous amount of credit for how the club has moved on from the dark days to where it is now. There are a lot of good people there.

“In the two years I was there as development coach, I was fortunate to be at a club that is certainly going forward and to be inside it and see how the manager works. Even at 51, and with the time I’ve been in the game, I’ve learned from Jim Duffy.

“Whoever takes over the job at Morton is going to a club thats youth policy has progressed and a manager that is willing to give boys an opportunity.

“You could count on one hand the number of games Jim Duffy and Craig McPherson have missed. You’d be lucky if it was one this season. So he takes a real interest in what’s going on and that’s important.

“So far he’s given Quitongo, Strapp, [and] Tiffoney opportunities. Quitongo has played regularly, Strapp and Tiffoney have been involved too, and there are others who, if they keep working hard, may get an opportunity.

“The club is prospering. It is certainly going in a positive direction, there’s no doubt about that. I just felt that it was time to move on to another challenge.”

Chief executive Warren Hawke added: “We want to thank Andy for his efforts, not just with the development players but in assisting with the first-team and linking closely with Derek Anderson as head of the academy.

“Obviously this is an important role with the club’s emphasis being on investing in youth development, and our search for a replacement will commence immediately.”

Image: David Bell